Christmas 2009

We pray you all enjoyed the beautiful Christmas season. We enjoyed seeing the pictures of the white Christmas that many of you were able to have in the Texas area. Please send us your family newsletter updates via email when you have time. We would love to hear from you. We had a quiet two days. On the 24th, we traveled with some local American friends to a Chilis. It was a treat to be able to eat familiar foods and visit with believers. In the evening, we were excited to light the final candle on our Advent wreath: The Christ Candle. Christ - The Messiah - The Anointed One...what a joy it has been to spend the last month focused on the blessing God gave to us in the gift of His son. After my last blog, a sweet mentor friend of mine reminded me on facebook that we know peace now because he came the first time and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us until He comes again - BUT, true peace will only come when He comes again. In looking towards the new year, our family feels challenged to see how we can continue the celebration of advent (the anticipation of His coming) in the new seasons. How can we keep our hearts full of the anticipation of His coming again? What can we be doing to get ourselves ready? What can we be doing to help others to be ready? I am sure that we will have a lot to blog about in 2010 as God stretches our faith, teaches us and encourages our hearts. God is true to His promises and we are determined to be faithful to His call. Because of Him, AT
Pictures: The first one is, of course, us at Chilis. We are truly thankful for our home supporters that make it possible for us to live here but also what a blessing you all are to go beyond that and help us with special treats. Thank you; Thank you; Thank you! The next picture is of the kids seeing for the first time what their special gifts were going to be on Christmas morning. I love the surprise! Gift giving is one of my love languages - I LOVE Christmas time! The next few pictures are of the special gifts we bought for each other. The kids worked really hard all fall to save their money. They were thrilled to buy presents for each person. "Faithfulness is always rewarded" - great lesson for finances and it is helping push us all through language learning! The last two things are videos. I am having a hard time getting videos to upload - not sure what my problem is....SOOO, these are not the cute ones that I have tried for 2 days to upload, but maybe they will make you laugh.

Fourth Week of Advent = Peace

Yes, I desire peace on earth; and no, I was never a beauty pageant queen! My heart simply aches for the new people that I am growing to love. I am daily struck by the millions around me that are searching for peace. Where our family is living, "Shalom Aleikhem" is a common greeting people give each other. It means, "peace upon you." It is the phrase Jesus used in greeting the disciples after His resurrection. The sad thing is that only 2% of the people in this part of the world know Christ. Just wishing peace on someone will never give them the peace their hearts hunger after. I admit I sometimes wish it were that easy. However, peace only comes through Jesus Christ. Christ alone gives peace to those who seek Him, and it is only though Christ that this world will know lasting peace. The Apostle Paul instructs us that the only way we will know peace is by knowing and following Christ. He tells us to actively seek this peace. How can I actively seek peace? I believe we do this not by anxiously trying to control our own lives, but by surrendering our needs to God in prayer. Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Philippians 4:4-7 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (what happens when we do this?) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Why is it that simple obedience seems so hard?! I simply have to rejoice in Him, walk in gentleness, not be anxious, pray and be thankful! I love how Ann Spangler talks about peace. She says, "May His peace settle into your soul and rule in your heart. May it become the loom on which your life is woven, clothing you with his compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Wow, may it be so in my life and I wish the same for your life. May you find the peace that comes through HIM today, AT

Our Christmas activities last week were mostly in the area of baking, baking, and more baking. We refused to let the water being turned off in our building be a discouragement to us.....Praise the Lord for bottled and stored water! We made my mom's yummy, chocolate balls. (Thank you Dad & Mom; Grandpa & Grandma for the wonderful care package!) We also made oatmeal cookies and participated in a "cookie exchange" with some other Americans. The kids and I will be passing out the wrapped cookies/gifts to our neighbors this coming week. We also had a birthday party for Jesus at our house this Sunday. We read scripture and the kids acted out the Christmas story. It was a lot of fun. The last picture shown is of our first snow of the year. It did not stay on the ground, but we still have hopes for a white Christmas! The video is of our favorite Christmas hymn this holiday season. Check out how William smacks Grace just as they are starting - We obviously have some instruction on "living in peace with all men" to go over with our children this week! HA!

Third Week of Advent = Joy

One of my first blogs in 2008 was titled, Excellent Source of Happiness. (click here if you would like to read.) I discuss what I believe is true happiness, so I won't go into that discussion today. This week the focus is Joy. What is Joy? I don't know how many times I have heard that because I am a believer I may not always have "happiness", but I will always have joy. I am not sure that I have ever agreed with that statement. Just because I am a believer I have joy?? Three weeks ago, our Sunday house group started a new children's curriculum. As a family we are really enjoying our homework and discussions during the week. The focus is on the centrality of the greatness and worth of God. Our Bible memory verse this week is Psalm 16: 11a "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence." Here is what I believe is the truth about Joy. I will only have joy and be filled with joy when I am spending time in the presence of the Lord. Does that mean I think joy will only come when I am in Heaven? NO - because Christ came; died in my place; and rose again, I believe I can have a relationship with Almighty God right now. I am filled with the Holy Spirit, and because of Christ's blood I have the freedom to be in the Father's presence. Jesus tells us in John 15:11, "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." What things had he "just spoken"? He was teaching on daily abiding in Him. No, I don't think that because I am a believer that I always have joy. There have been times over my last 17 years as a believer that I struggled with finding joy. It was during those times that because I was a believer, God sometimes through His hand of correction, His reminders of ultimate control or His process of sanstification in me, brought me back to His presence to find joy again. John Piper once said, "The best news in the world is that there is no necessary conflict between our happiness and God's holiness. Being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus magnifies Him as a great Treasure." If I am daily choosing to fill my heart with the treasures of the Lord, I will have lasting joy. I love the old chorus "Holy Ground". You may remember the first line in the song says: In His presence, there is joy beyond all measure and at His feet, peace of mind can still be found. Joy is found in Christ alone. It is a daily choice to take up my cross; put on the armor of God; follow Him; abide in His presence; and FIND JOY!
Making a DAILY choice! AT

Pictures: This Christmas week we have been so thankful for the ability to now watch "youtube". We have found several classic Christmas cartoons and movies. The first pic is of the kids watching on Matt's computer. The second pic. is of me knitting. One of my local friends is patiently trying to teach me. The last pic. is of course of the wonderful Starbucks! I was so excited to get a Christmas cup of delight! I had to take the kids to the doctor/big hospital a little ways away (parasite issues - whole different story), so we decided to visit the mall. The kids were able to ride a few "amusement park" type rides, but I forgot my camera, so the only evidence is the wonderful treat I brought home.

Second Week of Advent = Love

To do lists, shopping lists, check the calendar for events and commitments, decorating...yes, the "busyness" of the season has followed us around the world. Even living overseas, I have to remind myself that the Christmas season is not about go, go, go and do, do, do. It is about the ONE who came (and is coming again) and has already done what we cannot do for ourselves.

We had been married a little less than 9 months when I happened upon food poisoning for the first time. If any of you have ever had the great fortune of experiencing such an illness, you will know what I am talking about when I say that I felt overtaken and possessed. I had absolutely no control over my body. It started while we were at someone's house for small group on a Sunday night. Talk about embarrassing! I have no idea how Matt got me home - several stops on the side of the road. Then somewhere around midnight, he physically picked me up and rushed me to the emergency room of Northhills Hospital. Let's just say the honeymoon was definately over at that point...not because the "excitement" was gone...but because if there had been any "pretending" to care or should I say "take care" of each other, this is where it would have come to light. Matt was "THE MAN"! He cleaned up all kinds of things we won't mention - physically making himself ill!. He encouraged me, prayed over me and never left my side. This was also the event that made me realize how much my in-laws really considered me part of the family. They came to the hospital and stayed until late in the night. My sister-in-law, Jan, came with them even though she had 3 small children at home. She held my hand and followed me into a germ riddled restroom where only the Lord's protection saved us. (well, that part is a little bit of a tall tale, but it was BAD!)

So, why am I telling you a 12 year old story...well, to give you a physical picture of love. Love is not about romance and personal fulfillment. Love is sacrifice, commitment and selflessness. So what are we doing and filling our time with this Christmas season? Is my focus on what's in it for me? People say, "Oh, we need to teach our kids about the real meaning of Christmas." But, I think that our generation is still looking to the Christmas tree (and credit cards) to fill some sort of "love tank" that we are not sure how to satisfy. What do I think shows love? Yes, gift giving is one form of showing love, but do I know the other ways in which my family and friends receive love. One year, at my in-laws, the adults didn't give gifts at all. We wrote notes expressing our love. If you have not read the books on love languages, check them out. They are awesome and have really opened my eyes to how I interact with my loved ones.

This week of advent, we are re-evaluating how we are showing love to each other. We are also taking time to study the ONE that showed the greatest love. "Greater love has no one than this, than one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 Christ did this for us. Romans 5 tells us that while we were still in sin, He gave His life for us. We shouldn't love someone because of what they can do for us. That type of love will never hold a marriage together, children in right-relationship with their parents or make for lasting friendships. We love people just because...just becasue of who they are in Christ - someone worth dieing for!

Remembering True Love, AT

PS: William really did have his arm around Grace without prompting. I snapped the pic. and he took it down and wanted to be silly with hinnies in the air and reading books!

First Week of Advent = Hope

The holiday season is full of traditions. One of my favorite is eating pie for breakfast on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. My uncle started the tradition so that he could enjoy dessert and not be stuffed from dinner. We loved it as kids and enjoy it now as adults even more! Matt's favorite tradition as a child was listening to Santa Clause is Coming to Town on Christmas Eve and then running and jumping into bed. He now loves reading to our children, chasing them and tucking them in. William and Grace love opening Christmas books each evening leading up to Christmas Day. I wrap the same books over and over each year, but they love them like they are brand new. A few years ago, as a family, we started a new tradition. We light a traditional advent wreath each night for the entire month prior to Christmas. We start the first week with one candle and then each week adds a candle until the 5th and final candle is lit on Christmas Eve. This past Sunday was the start of our "count down" to Christmas. Advent just means "the coming" or "the arrival of the awaited". Yes, we do play Santa Clause and hang stockings, but we wanted a real tangible concrete way to keep our focus on the real reason we celebrate. Each evening, the kids take turns lighting the candle(s) (and blowing it out - which is still super fun at this age!) and using our plastic manger scene to tell the story of Christ's birth. Matt reads a passage of scripture, and we all sing a Christmas Hymn or two. It is so fun to watch the kids' knowledge of the scriptures grow. Each year, they are able to tell more and more of the story. We have to cut William off most of the time because he wants to focus too long on the Old Testament prophecies and continue the story past the fleeing to Egypt! Grace wants to add to the story and talk about "Mary picking berries, and the Shepards chasing sheep and singing in the fields!' However, we try to use all of that to add to our fun as a family and focus on the love of the Father and the precious gift of Christ. This week we are lighting the candle of HOPE. Charles Revson, the founder of the cosmetic empire, Revlon, said that what he sold was hope. "Hope happens when someone sees something, decides that it is desirable, realizes that they may not get it, but believes that there is still a chance of getting it." In other words, the world's way of looking at hope is "wishful thinking". The scriptures teach us differently. A more biblical definition of hope is "confident expectation". Proverbs 23:18 Tells us that there is a hope for us. Hebrews 11 tells us that our faith comes by being sure of what we hope for. Romans 8 tells us in hope we are saved. Matthew 12 tells us that the nations will find their hope in Christ. We can have a confident expectation (hope) that what God said He would do - HE DID; what God promises to do in the future - HE WILL DO! Praise the Lord for the salvation that He gives us through His son and the hope that He gives of a life and relationship eternally with Him.
Confidently Expecting! AT